Observer Reports That The SummerSlam Main Event Has Changed

The lead story in this week's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the planned WWE SummerSlam 2017 main event of Brock Lesnar versus Braun Strowman has been changed.

This is something that does not surprise me as I could sense that there was a shift in direction with Roman Reigns announcing that he wanted to challenge the winner of the Brock Lesnar versus Samoa Joe match which will take place at the upcoming WWE Great Balls of Fire show.

The newsletter's editor, Dave Meltzer, wrote that he was informed of the change shortly before Reigns made his challenge a few weeks ago. Back then, Meltzer was informed that the SummerSlam main event would be Lesnar .vs. Reigns. However, in the article, Meltzer notes that it's 'probably still the main event for the show, but there is an outside chance that will change since everyone realizes how strong Samoa Joe has gotten over in the Lesnar feud.'

I wrote a post in the early hours of this morning pointing out that Samoa Joe should be protected in the Great Balls of Fire main event. The fact that Meltzer wrote about WWE taking note of how strong Joe is in this program strengthens my opinion that the match should not end in a pinfall for either man.

The article continues noting that - if it is still Lesnar .vs. Reigns at SummerSlam, with the latter going over to become Universal Champion, then the 'most logical conclusion' - as it pertains WrestleMania 34 - is to have Roman Reigns .vs. John Cena as the April 8th main event.

I wrote on Tuesday June 20th that if the SummerSlam and WrestleMania main events had changed there was a good chance that John Cena, with his status as a 'Free Agent', could end up becoming a favourite to win the 2018 WWE Royal Rumble with the storyline being he could choose whether to challenge the Universal or World Champion. Meltzer brought up the 'Free Agent' gimmick being introduced at the same time the planned SummerSlam match was apparently nixed.

As of this morning, John Cena remains a 9/2 second-favourite to win the Rumble with both Paddy Power and Betfair.

The Kambi oddsmaker, who I'd hazard a guess is an Observer subscriber based on the fact he introduced the Observer Star Rating markets to WWE betting, has moved Cena into a 5/2 joint-favourite alongside Seth Rollins.

Cena's odds have been slashed from 13/2. View Kambi's Rumble Odds.

For what it's worth, a win for Roman Reigns in the Rumble - which would have been the most likely scenario if the main event for WrestleMania 34 was still Lesnar .vs. Reigns - has now been increased at Kambi. He was a 5/2 favourite when I last checked in with the odds. He's now out at 5/1.